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Michigan football: An update on Eyabi Anoma's eligibility

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•08/18/22•

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(Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)

Michigan football bolstered its pass rush this week with the addition of transfer Eyabi Anoma, a former five-star recruit that began his career at Alabama. There had been lingering questions about his eligibility that now have answers.

Anoma is a graduate transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining. According to multiple sources, he will be immediately eligible to play this season and is expected to join the team soon. From there, he will start at the bottom of the depth chart and work himself into a role with the Wolverines.

Michigan has questions about its pass rush coming off a 2021 season that had a historic duo in Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, who accounted for 25 sacks between the two of them. Anoma is not expected to directly replace either player, but the hope is that he can add depth to a group that could use it.

Senior Mike Morris, graduate Taylor Upshaw and juniors Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor, at least, are considered ahead of him as the third week of camp trucks along. True freshman Derrick Moore, sophomore TJ Guy and fifth-year Julius Welschof make up the rest of the group, for now.

Anoma is enrolled and was in Ann Arbor this week. Assuming he joins the team soon, Michigan’s soft non-conference schedule should allow for plenty of playing time up and down the depth chart. That could be where we get our first look at his skill-set.

Eyabi Anoma’s road to Michigan

Anoma, who has spent time at Alabama, Houston, and UT Martin, entered the transfer portal on Aug. 15. Michigan was involved in his recruiting during the 2018 cycle and he played for Associate Head Coach Biff Poggi at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. Michigan fans will recognize that as the school that produced junior running back Blake Corum and junior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and freshman EDGE Derrick Moore, among others.

Anoma (6-6, 270) was the No. 3 overall player in the 2018 class and an On3 Consensus Five-Star Plus recruit, meaning he was listed as five-star on each of the major recruiting services. After receiving little playing time at Alabama, he was dismissed for a violation of team rules and academic issues.

Anoma transferred to Houston in 2019 but was also dismissed from the program. He transferred to UT Martin and sat out in 2020 due to NCAA rules. Last season, he was an All-Ohio Valley Conference pick and on the OVC All-Newcomer team, notching 36 tackles (9.5 for loss) and six sacks on the year playing the JACK position. He entered the transfer portal for a third time on Aug. 15 before enrolling at Michigan.

Anoma said on Thursday he will dedicate the rest of his football career to his grandmother after he completed his undergrad work.

What he brings to Ann Arbor

“Anoma just arrived in Ann Arbor, so there may be some conditioning things to work out,” we wrote in a profile on Thursday ($). “They play a game in a little over two weeks, so time is running short. Anoma will start at the bottom of the Michigan depth chart upon his arrival and work from there. It seems at the very least, the coaching staff can use him as a designated pass rush specialist and have him just get after the quarterback. Just because he was a five-star does not mean he has those expectations thrust upon him.

“If he wants a job, he will have to take it. Just like everyone else. Though if he can tap into the potential he showed last season, he could crack the rotation consistently.”

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